It’s showtime for the 10-riding London region’s five new MPs, as the Trudeau government brings down its Throne Speech Friday in the Commons. Debora Van Brenk catches up with the whirlwind changes since the Oct. 19 election for London’s three rookies.

--- --- ---

Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre

Before MP: Political scientist at King’s University College.

Defeated: Conservative Susan Truppe, who held the riding for one term, German Gutierrez (NDP), Carol Dyck (Green).

Eye-openers: “I wasn’t expecting to have so many colleagues who are first-time MPs, people going through the same kind of experiences that I’m going through.”

Culture and change: “The pictures that we see of Ottawa are typical Parliament Hill and the area around Parliament Hill, but there’s a lot more to Ottawa.” He’s looking forward to exploring the national capital’s monuments, museums and galleries when he can find the time.

Highlights: “Being sworn in was quite a surreal moment . . . It was just a wonderful experience to be sworn in, to sit down and sign my name in a book where all Parliamentarians sign their names.”

Hitches: Awaiting furniture and phones, desks and hiring staff for the Ottawa and London offices are all part of the package of logistics.

New riding office: 185 Adelaide St. at Grosvenor Street, across from his campaign headquarters.

Constituency work: So far, calls have included a request for help with a passport and for lapel pins with the Canadian flag.

Committee preferences: Among House of Commons committees, he’s listed a preference for global affairs, finance, immigration and citizenship or health care.

Living: About one-third of MPs stay in a hotel in Ottawa, another one-third rent an apartment and the rest tend to buy a house or condo. He’s decided to stay in a hotel.

-- --

Kate Young, Liberal, London West

Before MP: Public affairs manager at Thames Valley District school board, former TV news anchor.

Learning curve: There’s something new to learn every day, and new legislators all received a 10-centimetre-thick book of procedures. A briefing session this week included must-do and never-dos while the Commons is in session. In the latter category: never, ever walk between the mace and House Speaker.

New job: Named parliamentary secretary to Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

First impressions: “You can tell we’re new MPs because we’re looking around at the architecture.” The beauty and history of Parliament Hill, where so many legislators have made a mark on the country, leave her wide-eyed at times and she hopes her sense of awe at the place and the task never grows old.

Starting work: As soon as she received her new email password from Hill staff, she discovered she already had 350 messages. She was told not to worry — that number would soon double.

Hitches: With so many former MPs moving out at virtually the same time as others are moving in, “the logistics of that are quite amazing,” she said.

New riding office: She set it up five days after Preston closed his old office, and weeks before some colleagues even found a location. Her office is in part of the CASO railway station, at 750 Talbot St. in downtown St. Thomas.

Living: Has found an apartment only a seven-minute walk to the Hill.

On assignment: She’s been named the Opposition critic for the families, children and social development portfolio and took part in her first meeting of the shadow cabinet Tuesday.

At work: Her first constituency call was a concern about the child-tax benefit. She’s also been inundated with calls, pro and con, about Canada’s commitment to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees.

Highlight so far: Being sworn in as an MP this week and swearing an oath to be loyal to the Queen and country, was “comparable” to promising herself in marriage to her husband. “You’re giving your life and soul to that . . . (Monday) was the first time in four months, since I got here, that I teared up.”

Toughest part: Saying farewell to her five children, her husband and her mother, who returned home from Ottawa after the swearing-in ceremony.

-- --

ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION

Two other rookies are Ottawa-bound, from ridings that changed MPs but not parties.

Sarnia-Lambton: Conservative Marilyn Gladu replaces the retired Patricia Davidson and — in a district that almost always votes the way the country does, but did not this time — becomes the riding’s first Opposition MP in 52 years.

Perth-Wellington: Conservative John Nater takes over from former MP Gary Schellenberger, who retired with the distinction of being the last Progressive Conservative MP that Canadian voters sent to Ottawa. He was elected as a PC in 2004, but became a Conservative after Canada’s right-leaning parties merged.